Places to Shop

Editors' Picks

By Dig Staff

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Place to get duct tape

Tags

Duct tape is an incredibly versatile material. Sticky, waterproof (sorta) and opaque, it can be used to fix tears and holes, fashion wallets, rafts and clothing. Plus Tags is pretty much a great hardware store for whatever ails you. They have an on-call handyman and all your survival supplies (except food ... well, actually, they do offer free popcorn and lollipops!). Plus, it's independently owned, so it's less expensive and cooler than certain home improvement giants. [Porter Square Shopping Mall, Porter Sq., Cambridge. 617.868.7711. tagshardware.com]

Socialist bookstore

Revolution Books

John McCain can complain all he wants, but with the government holding large shares in banks, we're already there, so you might as well educate yourself. Revolution Books is probably the best place around to get your red on. They've got homemade pamphlets and books on all flavors of commie: Marxist, Lennonist, Maoist and other unsuccessful philosophers and regimes. [1156 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. 617.492.5443]

Great Depression-style comeback

Fedoras

As President-elect Obama (still sounds good) points out, we're in "the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression." While we can't wait for the New Deal to come along (construction jobs for the out of work? Public arts funding? A giant mountain with Barack's face on it? Yes, please!), next on our list for a comeback is the stylish fedora of the 1930s. Toppers has got you covered (literally!) with a wide array of classic caps. [151 Tremont St., Boston. 617.859.1430]

Brokerage firm

Tremont Tearoom

We Massachusetts liberal elites may not cling to guns or religion, but jeez, logic and reason can get old in these trying times. So maybe it's time we all swallowed our Puritan educations and paid a visit to one of the renowned psychics in the country's oldest psychic salon, the Tremont Tearoom. Whether you seek spiritual healing (read: investment tips) after your OfficeMax stock crashes, or you accidentally slept with your old spirit guide, these guys know their stuff. Also, the Tearoom has been around since the Great Depression. Just sayin'. [48-50 Winter St., 3rd Flr., Boston. 617.338.8100. tremont-tearoom.com]

Newbury Comics

Fresh Pond

For our money, the roomy and comfortable Newbury Comics at Fresh Pond is the easiest place to browse for that limited edition Children of Bodom pint glass. Granted, they may not stock everything (what do you mean you're out of the Stewie Head Football?!?), its location at the end of the Red Line makes it a discreet place to get that Big Breast 2009 Wall Calendar of your dreams. [211 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Cambridge. 617.491.7711. newburycomics.com]

Citizens' militia

Boston Derby Dames

Anyone who's been to one of the league's roller derby bouts wouldn't mind getting "blocked and rolled" by the Boston Derby Dames. Fueled, no doubt, by some combination of petrol and bourbon, they season their lobster with the blood of their enemies and look hotter on wheels than any girl in stilettos. What began in 2005 now boasts three home teams—the Cosmonaughties, Nutcrackers, and Wicked Pissahs—and an all-star traveling team, the Boston Massacre. With handles like "Pussy Venom" and "KrushPuppy," the Dames would likely jump at the chance to defend the People's Republic. As one classic derby adage goes: "Skate faster, pussycat! Kill! Kill!" [bostonderbydames.com]

Non-Dig news source

Somerville Journal

According to the latest census, Somerville is far and away the densest city in New England. How do you stay on top? Somerville Journal is how. From Ikea coming to Assembly Square to "Man tries to eat cocaine stuffed in his crotch" to people stealing bags of meat from the Taco Loco, the Journal rules. Super extra bonus for SpeakOut, the phone line where people call in to gripe and get printed in the paper. Listen to WMBR's Patrick Bryant read it aloud at subject2blog.blogspot.com. Hilarious. [20-40 Holland St., Somerville. wickedlocal.com/somerville]

Place to pretend you're rich

Newbury Street

If you just stand outside the Taj [15 Arlington St., Boston. 617.536.5700. tajhotels.com] and have a cigarette, you might rub elbows with someone who's crazy rich. There are also galleries like Judi Rotenburg [130 Newbury St., Boston. 617.437.1518. rotenburggallery.com], the incredible window shopping at the boutiques, parking meters from the future and did you know Armani [Galleria at Copley Place, 2 Copley Pl., Boston. 617.437.0909] has a restaurant? So saunter to the Back Bay doing your best Mr. Peanut impression. You'll fit right in.

Best Second Hand Housewares

Davis Square's Goodwill

Looking to throw a dinner party, yet you're short a couple bowls (or perhaps some salad forks, tumblers, a plate or two)? Does your glassware rarely survive a successful soiree? Hosts and fans of vintage kitsch—not to mention a smartin' bargain, behold the Goodwill's basement in Davis Square! A thorough rummaging will help you fill out your cupboards; ingratiate you to those not keen on matchy, matchy dinnerware; and make you ponder just how many teacups it's necessary for one urbanite to own. [23- Elm St., Somerville. 617.628.3618. goodwillmass.org]

Feeding the unshakable compulsion to caress beautiful machines for free

Apple Store

Yes, certainly there were local Apple Stores before "the" store of stores manifested itself in sleek glory on Boylston Street. But the opening of this hulking cube of plug-and-foreplay gadgetries fed a need that hadn't been nourished before: pressure-free, instantaneous, open public online access directly downtown, with machines and barstools resembling an honest-to-god internet café (courtesy of Monsieur Jobs). We won't judge if you choose to fondle an iPhone or MacBook. Gently. Softly. [815 Boylston St., Boston. 617.385.9400. apple.com]

Tough Love Trainer

Jane Taylor

If you're fond of the booze and smoky treats leaning toward the side of excess (thank you, holiday season), we've got your antidote. Jane Taylor, level III trainer at the Back Bay Healthworks, will kick your ass and (somehow) get you to come back for another (deserved) whupping. She successfully wrangled the Dig's womenfolk into shape during the club's Corporate Bootcamp Challenge, and some have yet to quit her. This is truly a tested recommendation, though not one to be taken lightly. Jane expects commitment and results, possibly putting a damper on your end-of-weekend benders, but your glutes (and quads and triceps and obliques) will thank you. [441 Stuart St., Boston. 617.859.7700. healthworksfitness.com]

Going-out-of-business politician

Dianne Wilkerson

In these tough economic times, state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson's bra (size 38 G! har har!) is lined with Benjamins. Which is good, because, like so many Americans (save us, Obama!), Wilkerson, D-Boston, will soon be out of work. After lobbying liquor licenses all over the Hall and the Hill in exchange for bribe bait from FBI undercovers, Wilkerson was trampled in her already unlikely re-election bid by newcomer and shaker-upper Sonia Chang-Díaz.

Cheaper alternative to a fancy hair blow-out

Wind tunnel chic

Whenever's the best time for blowing discretionary funds on luxurious salon services, probably in the thick of a sinking economy wouldn't be the most likely. Yet one can stretch their haircare budget a bit wider with the gratifyingly unpredictable alternative to a blow-out: facing the wrath of a wind tunnel. Get that tousled yet "free-range" look easily; choice spots include beside the Hancock Tower or en route to Fort Point from South Station. Aside from possible face frostbite, it's a win-win. [Anywhere with really tall buildings]